Archive for the 'school visits' Category
25 January 2013 at 11:27
On the spot in Northern Ireland to collect Ballyclare Secondary School's fabulous Readathon cheque this term was Fionnuala Savage of CLIC Sargent.
At the end of last year Ballyclare Secondary School took part in its second sponsored Readathon Challenge. Pupils in Years 8, 9 and 10 were given the opportunity to read throughout all of their English classes for one week. All pupils were asked to raise as much money as possible for three worthy causes: CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity, Roald Dahl Marvellous Children’s Charity, supporting children with neurological and blood disorders, and ReadWell, taking free books and storytellers into children's hospitals to make young patients' lives better.
"Congratulations to all the pupils in years 8,9 and 10 for your diligence in collecting sponsorship money from family and friends - well done to everyone inolved!" said Fionnuala, pictured here with Mrs Bell (Principal) with Ella Cooke and Peter Allen (Year 8 students).
Tags: Ballyclare | charity | cheque presentation | CLIC Sargent | Readathon | reading | school visit | sponsored read
Posted in school visits | CLIC Sargent | No Comments
19 November 2012 at 11:14
Last week he pupils of Huish Episcopi Academy, in Langport, Somerset, staged a brilliant Variety Show to boost their Readathon fundraising. The evening of fun involved comedy, singing and playing musical instruments. Guest of honour was Readathon's founder, Brough Girling, pictured here with the show's cast.
It was the idea of staff member Phillipa Burrell to stage this event to raise awareness of Readathon and the charities it supports for seriously ill children: CLIC Sargent, Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity and Readwell.
“I would like to say a very big thank you to Mr Brough Girling, founder of Readathon, for visiting our school and meeting the cast of the Variety Show," said Phillipa Burrell, who runs the annual Readathon in the school Library.
Mr Brough Girling said: "Thousands of schools do Readathon every year, but Huish Episcopi School is among the very best of them. The students there obviously love reading and love raising money for sick children too."
A big thanks to everyone involved!
Tags: Huish Episcopi | Somerset | Brough Girling
Posted in school visits | Readathon sponsored read | secondary school | No Comments
20 June 2012 at 09:41
Readathon founder Brough Girling visited a truly superb school in Northern Ireland last week and treated the pupils to a visit from multi-talented author Daniel Blythe.
"St Patrick's Grammar School in Downpatrick has donated a phenomenal amount to Readathon over the years and we wanted to acknowledge the support of both their staff and their pupils with a celebration," said Brough.
Daniel Blythe filled the children's heads with fast-paced tales, while Brough filled the teachers' stomachs with cake!
Rory, a Year 8 pupil, thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon: ‘We read the first chapter of ‘Shadow Runners’ in class before Daniel came and it seems really good. Now that I have my own signed copy, I can’t wait to read it over the summer!’
Gina Savage, Head of English at the school enthused: "Reading for pleasure is very much embedded in the culture of the St Patrick’s. All junior pupils have time in their weekly timetabled classes dedicated to this pastime. It encourages the boys to see reading as a leisure activity – something on the same level as football or soccer - something that is not just educational but also enjoyable."
Brough was especially impressed that each year St Patrick’s trains twenty Year 13 students to work as Reading Partners and Reading Champions in local primary schools to promote positive reading habits and improve literacy with the children in the community. "This is a fabulously creative investment," he said.
Pictured here are author Daniel Blythe (seated centre), Readathon founder Brough Girling (far left), Vice Principal Ray McConville, Head of English Gina Savage, with St Patrick's pupils Eoin, Aidan and Joseph.
Tags: Downpatrick | St Patrick's Grammar School
Posted in benefits of reading for pleasure | authors | school visits | Readathon sponsored read | secondary school | school success stories | Northern Ireland | No Comments
27 September 2011 at 12:47
Hawkesbury Primary School in South Gloucestershire enjoyed a memorable launch for its recent Readathon with a visit from the charity’s founder and children’s author, Brough Girling.
Brough spent time in each classroom, reading stories, telling jokes and answering their questions about what it’s like to write books.
In assembly, Brough entertained staff and children alike with anecdotes about his friend Roald Dahl, Readathon’s first chairman. The children were particularly intrigued by Dahl’s boyhood encounter with Beatrix Potter.
“The free books from Readathon are especially welcome as we are working hard to expand and modernize our Infant and Junior Libraries in the face of substantial budget cuts,” says Mrs Louise Lewis, Head Teacher.
“We are also keen to demonstrate to our pupils that reading and writing are lifelong pleasures of equal interest and value to boys and girls, so a visit by a male author was really constructive. We love supporting children’s charities too.
“I recommend Readathon to any school that wants to enthuse their pupils about reading, to build their library stocks and to find a different way of raising money for charity. With Readathon, everybody wins.”
Brough Girling also enjoyed his visit.
“What a lovely village school!” he remarked.
“The wonderful thing about schools and young people, is that even in today’s economic climate, they are still eager to raise money for those less fortunate than themselves,” he says.
Tags: Readathon | primary school | reading | boys reading | sponsored read
Posted in free books | authors | school visits | Readathon sponsored read | No Comments
